Invasion Day: Thousands gather for anti-Australia Day protests

Thousands of protesters have gathered at ‘Invasion Day’ events in Brisbane and right across Queensland. PICTURES, VIDEO

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Thousands of protesters have gathered at ‘Invasion Day’ events across Queensland, with the biggest unfolding in the Brisbane CBD.

In Brisbane, a candlelight dawn service began at 4am in Musgrave Park followed by flag raising at Jagera Hall and the Invasion Day march from Queens Gardens.

The crowd - estimated to be some 8000 strong - kicked off the march down George St in the CBD at 11.30am, with protesters chanting: “End black deaths in custody!”

The march proceeded across Victoria Bridge and headed left down Grey St in South Bank.

Mum Laura Griffiths was one of those marching.

“Today we’re marching to educate my children, as a parent and also I’m an educator as well,” she said. “And also I believe in this being a path to reconciliation, and teaching truth to the next generation.”

Thousands of protesters have marched during the 'Invasion Day' rally in Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Another protester, Hannah Heers, was also marching with her daughter.

She said the protest was about much more than changing the date of Australia Day.

“I’m here to stand in solidarity with the traditional custodians of this land,” she said.

“But also I’ve got a six year old here, and it’s important to me to educate her about the true history of this country and how important it is to stand in solidarity.

“We don’t celebrate genocide. So many Australians don’t know the true history of this country.”

The crowd turned right down Glenelg St before reaching its final destination, Musgrave Park, about 12.20pm.

A group of motorcyclists revving their engines bought up the rear of the crowd.

“Save our Pillaga, water is life,” their sign read, referring to energy giant Santos’ mining in the Great Artesian Basin, Australia’s largest freshwater reservoir.

Thousands gather in Brisbane’s Musgrave Park for an Invasion Day protest. Picture: Dan Peled

Earlier, activist and Elder Wayne Wharton had stood at a podium and spoken to those who had gathered.

“There are two types of people in this country at the moment. It doesn’t matter what colour your skin is, but you’re either an accomplice, or you’re an ally,” Mr Wharton said.

“I want Peter Dutton to hear this, I want John Howard to hear this: there was a war!”

The crowd started chanting along “there was a war” then “stop the war”.

“Constitutional change is what we want. We want our freedom enshrined in the Constitution.”

Signs used in the protest included “The Queen’s dead, so is the colony” and “Land rights country not politics”.

Queensland police estimated about 8000 people attended the rally without incident.

“The crowd was very well behaved,” a QPS spokesperson said.

Protesters carried signs that ready “The Queen’s dead, so is the colony’ during an Invasion Day protest in Brisbane’s CBD. Picture: Dan Peled

Rally participants had earlier in the day used social media to share their messages.

“To many of us it represents a day of mourning and sadness,” one post read.

“It’s an important day to honour our ancestors that came before us, fought relentlessly for our freedom and the young warriors that are still fighting today.

“For anyone that might be struggling today, stay close to mob and reach out if you’re not okay.”

Invasion Day rallies are being held across Queensland. Picture: Dan Peled

Organisers, Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, urged people to gather for the event via social media posts.

“Sovereignty never ceded treaty before a voice to parliament. Stop taking our future. What price is freedom?” the post read.

The end of the protest had a festival feel, with music, food and merchandise tents, and a jumping castle in Musgrave park.

There were also tents for Greens MPs Amy MacMahon, Max Chandler-Mather and Stephen Bates, and councillor Jonathan Sri.

On the Sunshine Coast there was also a march from Foundation Square to Cotton Tree.

Chanting crowds gathered holding signs and posters.

A march kicked off at Fogarty Park in Cairns at 9am, with protesters walking through the city with a sign which read “Abolish Australia Day”.

HAPPENING NOW: More than 100 people are marching from Foundation Square to Cotton Tree, standing in solidarity and goodwill with First Nations people. @7NewsSCpic.twitter.com/gRdUTvreez

— Charlie Dally-Watkins (@DallyWatkinsC) January 26, 2023

The crowd could be heard chanting: “What do we want? Treaty. When do we want it? Now”.

“No pride in celebrating genocide”, another sign in the crowd read.

Originally published as Invasion Day: Thousands gather for anti-Australia Day protests